The One Chicago franchise, created by Dick Wolf, first began with Chicago Fire in 2012. Over the years, the universe expanded with successful spin-offs like Chicago Med and Chicago P.D., though Chicago Justice failed to make an impact and
was canceled after one season. Throughout its history, numerous talented actors have been part of this franchise, including Jon Seda, who played Detective Antonio Dawson. Seda was a central character in Chicago P.D.
and also made appearances in Chicago Fire, though Chicago Med was the only series within the franchise he never appeared in. For six seasons, Seda’s character played a crucial role in the One Chicago universe before being written out.
Struggling with a painkiller addiction, Antonio Dawson ultimately left Chicago and relocated to Puerto Rico to focus on his recovery. Recently, Seda opened up about his time in the franchise during an interview with Screen Rant, sharing his appreciation for the opportunities it provided. “It’s been a few years already, huh? I love the show,” Seda said. “It was such an amazing experience and a fantastic series to be a part of. It was truly groundbreaking with its interconnected spin-offs. I was lucky to have worked with Dick Wolf for years, even before One Chicago, back when he did crossovers with Law & Order and Homicide. When I first joined Chicago Fire, I had no idea it would lead to Chicago P.D.. As actors, you hope for one or two good seasons, maybe three if you’re lucky. I got six seasons, counting my time on Chicago Justice, and that’s something I’m grateful for.”
Seda Open to Returning as Antonio Dawson
While Seda has moved on to other projects, including his latest film Into the Deep, he hasn’t ruled out a return to One Chicago. During his time on Chicago P.D., he shared the screen with notable characters like Adam Ruzek (Patrick Flueger), Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati), and Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe), all of whom remain on the show. When asked about a potential comeback, Seda expressed enthusiasm about the idea:
“It was truly an honor to be part of it, and I’m thankful for the experience. I loved playing Antonio, but shows evolve and move in different directions. That was the case with Chicago P.D.. But Antonio is still alive—he wasn’t killed off. I heard there was even a mention of him in an episode where his sister said he was doing well in Puerto Rico. So, as long as the show is still running, I’m open to coming back anytime. Whether it’s just for an episode or something more permanent, I’d be totally up for it. I’ve learned to never say never.”
Over the years, Chicago P.D. has seen several cast members depart, including Jesse Lee Soffer (Jay Halstead), Tracy Spiridakos (Hailey Upton), and Brian Geraghty (Sean Roman). Even Scott Eastwood, who played Officer Jim Barnes, moved on. Still, the series continues to thrive, with new episodes airing every Wednesday on NBC. Fans can also catch up on past episodes via Peacock before tuning in for the latest developments.